Curtis Richard Lucado, 88, of Roanoke, passed away on Wednesday, August 31, 2022.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Alice Lucado; his daughter, Carolyn Jane Lucado; his parents, Robert Christy Lucado and Ethel Lawrence Draper Lucado; siblings, Robert Lawrence Lucado, Ralph Emerson Lucado, Guy Edwin Lucado.
He is survived by his sister, Ethel Louise Lucado Gish; daughter, Elizabeth Christy Lucado; son, Curtis Richard Lucado, Jr; grandchildren, Mary Catherine Austin Brown and husband Stuart, Natalie Austin Desseyn and husband Chad, Benjamin Lee Austin and wife Taylor, Courtney Rose Lucado, Lakota Delaney Lucado and Lacey Rae Lucado; great-grandchildren, Jack Thomas Brown, Ella Catherine Brown, Adalee Jane Brown, Tatum Lee Austin, Silas Browning Austin, Bodi Lawrence Austin, Draper Curtis Desseyn and Delta Carolyn Desseyn.
Curtis graduated from Virginia Military Institute, Class of ’55, with a degree in Civil Engineering with Honors. Following graduation, he served as a Captain in the United States Air Force. In 1958, he began working as a Field Layout Engineer at Wiley N. Jackson Company in Roanoke. He worked his way through the ranks of the highway and heavy construction division, filling many positions within the company, until being named Executive Vice President in 1971 and President in 1982. He concluded his successful career in April 1992, retiring from Williams Construction Company in Baltimore, Md. Following retirement, he and Mary Alice became “Snow Birds,” wintering in Bonita Springs, Fla., and maintaining a summer home in Roanoke.
At a young age Curtis became a fly-fishing enthusiast. Throughout his life he built his reputation as an avid fly-fisherman, perfecting the sport, down to the art of tying his own flies. His love of fly-fishing and traveling, took him and Mary Alice to many parts of the world. He had a standing fly-fishing excursion every February in New Zealand. When not fishing, he could be found spectating any and all sports and was an avid Redskins fan. Curtis always maintained an undeniable fondness and pride for VMI, spending weekends tailgating with alumni, looking forward to reunions and endowing to the future successes of the Institute.
Curtis will be missed for his keen attention to detail, his impressive work ethic and influential business practices, his staunch sense of structure and mostly for the way he lit up with pride when talking about his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Memorial donations may be sent to Trinity Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 459, Buchanan, 24066. Services were held on Monday, September 19 at 1 p.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church, in Buchanan with VMI Chaplain Bob Phillips officiating. Online condolences may be made at www.botetourtfuneralhome.com.
